Jensen said, at the time, officials didn't have the money-- but do now thanks in part to the local option sales tax. Jensen said the district saved about a million dollars on the $5-million project.

"That obviously gave us the initiative to go ahead and do it. It allowed us not to increase property taxes here in the community," said Jensen.

EV Schools are getting a lot of bang for their buck. Besides the 800-seat gym and an indoor-walking track, the addition features a new fitness center, which will be open 24/7 to anyone in the district's communities or who open enrolls their children into the district.

People like Galen Schwochow plan to get a lot out of it.

"I've wanted to lose weight and I finally got the motivation behind me to give myself a kick in the rump to get going," said Schwochow.

For senior student Jessica Riegel the new facility won't only be a spot for athletics, but also a place to make memories that will last a lifetime.

"I get to graduate in the new gym, so it's always going to be something that I'll remember. It'll be a big part of what I remember from High School," said Riegel.

School officials said the junior/senior high school's old gym won't be torn down. In fact, they've attached a performance stage to the side of it, which will be ready for use later this winter.